“This is a typical Red Sox move. They are known for scapegoating.”
Alex Cora and several members of his staff were let go on Saturday evening. (Photo by: Barry Chin/Globe Staff).
updated on April 26, 2026 | 1:42 AM
5 minutes to read
The Red Sox are cleaning house in the midst of a disheartening start to the 2026 season, with Boston firing manager Alex Cora and five of his coaches on Saturday evening.
Even with Boston’s disappointing 10-17 record to open the new season, the Red Sox’ decision to overhaul a significant portion of its coaching staff before the calendar flips to May still stands as a seismic shakeup — especially for a manager who won a World Series title with Boston in 2018.
Here’s a look at some noteworthy reactions from several baseball writers, fans, celebrities, and others to the Red Sox’ stunning move.
Ken Rosenthal
Fox Sports and The Athletic baseball writer/broadcaster Ken Rosenthal gave his take on the Red Sox’ decision to fire Cora during Fox’s broadcast of Saturday’s Dodgers-Cubs game.
“This was an absolute shocker. Cora was in the second year of a three-year, $21.75 million contract, so he’s almost owed two-thirds of that. … Now the Red Sox. This is a typical Red Sox move,” Rosenthal said. “They are known for scapegoating. But this one was shocking because of the contractual situation and because other managers seemingly are in more trouble.
“One of those managers is the Phillies’ Rob Thomson. [The] Phillies have lost 10 in a row. And keep in mind, guys. Dave Dombrowski, Phillies president of baseball operations, is very close with Alex Cora from their time together with the Red Sox. I can’t imagine Cora taking over the Phillies next week, but that’s going to be speculated on as we go along here.”
Jeff Passan
ESPN baseball writer Jeff Passan — who broke the Cora news just before 7 p.m. on Saturday night — elaborated more on the Red Sox’s decision on SportsCenter later that night.
“I think it was a culmination of things. And look, there has been some disconnect between the manager Alex Cora and the front office led by chief baseball officer Craig Breslow, and that’s manifested itself in this 10-17 start.
The Red Sox have not looked good, and coming into this season, projections — internally, as well as externally from other teams — had them as a postseason team. And so if there is going to be blame to go around, it is going to be trained on the manager. And yet, unlike places like the New York Mets, the Philadelphia Phillies, even the Houston Astros, where there have been questions about whether they’re going to be new managers, the Red Sox were decisive in this situation.”
As far as why the Red Sox made this move so early in the season, Passan said that Boston’s top brass believes “the season can still be salvaged at this point.”
Buster Olney
ESPN MLB writer Buster Olney was quick to note that Boston’s coaching overhaul means that Boston is “unequivocally Craig Breslow’s organization” moving forward.
Alex Cora fired less than halfway into a three-year, $21.75 million deal he negotiated in the summer of 2024. Jason Varitek dumped in April, in his 30th year affiliated with the Red Sox. Other coaches let go. This is unequivocally Craig Breslow’s organization.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) April 25, 2026
Speaking to a “rival evaluator”, Olney echoed some skepticism about the Red Sox’ odds of pulling themselves out of this early-season tailspin.
Re: Red Sox, rival evaluator: “How does it make it better to fire one of the best managers in the game?”
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) April 25, 2026
Bob Nightengale
USA Today baseball writer Bob Nightengale was quick to connect the dots between Cora and the Phillies — who are currently scuffling in the NL East. Nightengale acknowledged that Cora still has a close relationship with current Phillies exec — and former Red Sox president of baseball operations — Dave Dombrowski.
Alex Cora will now be the hottest commodity for the next managerial vacancy, and it’s no secret that he has a close relationship with Phillies president Dave Dombrowski
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) April 25, 2026
Alex Cora was not even halfway through his 3-year, $21.75 million contract.
He will be managing again within a week if he chooses.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) April 25, 2026
Erik Boland
Newsday Yankees beat reporter Erik Boland believes that Cora is held in much higher regard across MLB than Craig Breslow — who remains in place as Boston’s chief baseball officer.
Don’t cover the Red Sox (obviously) but can say this with 100 % certainty when it comes to the industry: Alex Cora is, overwhelmingly, considered far better at his job than Craig Breslow is at his. And it’s not remotely close.
— Erik Boland (@eboland11) April 25, 2026
Stephen King
Legendary horror writer — and ardent Red Sox fan — Stephen King didn’t hold back about the state of the Red Sox after Cora’s firing.
Instead of firing Alex Cora, the Red Sox might consider firing the team.
— Stephen King (@StephenKing) April 26, 2026
Bill Simmons
Longtime Boston sports scribe and The Ringer founder Bill Simmons believed that Cora made his thoughts about Boston’s roster construction abundantly clear in his final days as Red Sox manager.
I mean… Cora just batted Monasterio 5th against the Yanks as an unofficial protest for how bad this roster is. I cannot say I’m shocked. https://t.co/5QqrgFeUPC
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) April 26, 2026
John Henry
As part of the Red Sox’ announcement on Cora’s firing, Red Sox principal owner John Henry released a statement about Cora’s eight-season run with Boston.
“Alex Cora led this organization to one of the greatest seasons in Red Sox history in 2018, and for that, and the many years that followed, he will always have our deepest gratitude,” Henry said. “He has had a lasting impact on this team and on this city. He has led on and off the field in so many important ways. These decisions are never easy, but this one is especially difficult given what Alex has meant to the Red Sox since the day he arrived.
“I want to thank Alex, our coaches, and their families for everything they have given to this organization. They have been part of this club in a way that goes beyond the field, and they will always have our respect and gratitude.”
Kevin Pillar
Former Red Sox outfielder Kevin Pillar — who played 30 games with the club in 2020 — didn’t mince words about Breslow’s standing in Boston’s organization, sharing that he believes Boston let the wrong person go.
Nick Sogard
Speaking to Tommy Cassell of the Worcester Telegram & Gazette, WooSox infielder Nick Sogard shared his thoughts on Worcester manager Chad Tracy getting named as interim manager.
“I think everyone felt like it was something that would absolutely happen at some point. Obviously, crazy circumstances. He addressed us, was super professional as always (and) acknowledged that he is bummed that a lot of his really close friends just lost their jobs.
“(I’m) super excited for him, he deserves it. He’s ready. He’s someone that I’ve grown really close with, obviously, over the years here. So I’m just really happy that he’s getting what we all feel like he deserves.”
Tony Massarotti
Former Red Sox writer and current 98.5 The Sports Hub radio host Tony Massarotti wondered if Cora’s comments after Boston’s 17-1 win over the Orioles might have sealed his fate.
Aaron Boone
Yankees manager Aaron Boone was asked on Saturday night about Cora’s firing — acknowledging that he was “very shocked” to hear the news of Cora’s exit.
Aaron Boone said he was “very shocked” to learn about Alex Cora’s firing and the #RedSox shakeup.
Regarding Cora, Boone said, “I have a feeling he’ll do whatever he wants. He’s a great manager, a smart, talented person that I’m sure will have a lot of opportunities available to…
— Gary Phillips (@GaryHPhillips) April 26, 2026
Section 10 Hosts
Jared Carrabis and the fellow hosts of the popular “Section 10” Red Sox podcast were among the many who were shocked by Cora’s ouster.
Truly stunned that Alex Cora is out as the manager of the Boston Red Sox. He ends up 3rd all-time in wins for Sox managers with 620. Never thought this would happen right now. Obviously the team has massively underperformed, but certainly didn’t see this coming in April.
— Steve Perrault (@Steve_Perrault) April 25, 2026
Salute to Cora. 2018 was, in the words of Wilyer Abreu, the best experience I ever had.
— Céad Míle Fáilte (@ColeyMick) April 25, 2026
Alex Cora fired before Aaron Boone. Who would’ve ever thought.
— Tyler Milliken (@tylermilliken_) April 25, 2026
By the way, I’ve been on record as a major Chad Tracy guy. Even talked about on radio last week why I think he’d be the first guy given a chance. Never understood the people who thought Varitek was next up. The org made it obvious that he was never in those talks. https://t.co/Q20tCpnVlt
— Tyler Milliken (@tylermilliken_) April 26, 2026
Lou MerloniAlanna Rizzo
Alex Cora will only be unemployed as long as he wants to be. This isn’t a Cora problem.
— AlaNNa Rizzo (@alannarizzo) April 25, 2026
Ma’am, Cora will be employed tomorrow if he wants. This is a roster construction problem.
— AlaNNa Rizzo (@alannarizzo) April 25, 2026
Tom CaronJoon LeeNick “Fitzy” Stevens
Nick “Fitzy” Stevens — who was recently let go from WEEI’s afternoon drive program last week — gave his take on Cora’s firing.
Geez, little did I realize Alex Cora and I would have more in common this week than just a love of baseball
— FitzyGFY 🍺 (brew checkmark) (@FitzyGFY) April 26, 2026
Michael Hurley Alex Cora
In a text to WEEI’s Rob Bradford, the former Red Sox manager kept things brief about his exit from Boston.
“I’m happy,” he told Bradford.
Alex Cora just texted: ‘I’m happy’
— Rob Bradford (@bradfo) April 26, 2026
Cora later posted a photo on his Instagram account of himself and the coaches that were let go on Tuesday as they took a flight out of Baltimore. Jason Varitek delivered a thumbs-down as part of the photo.
Conor Ryan is a staff writer covering the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Red Sox for Boston.com, a role he has held since 2023.
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